Device for separating and collecting water from a gas stream, fuel cell system, and method for operating a fuel cell system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for separating and collecting water from a gas stream, comprising a water separator (2), configured as a riser, and a water tank (3) which is arranged below the water separator (2), wherein the water separator (2) has, at its lower end, an outlet (4) which opens into the water tank (3), a lateral gas inlet (5), and a gas outlet (6) which is arranged at its upper end.The invention also relates to a fuel cell system (20) with a corresponding device (1) and to a method for operating a fuel cell system (20).

1 . A device ( 1 ) for separating and collecting water from a gas stream,
 comprising a water separator ( 2 ), configured as a riser and a water tank ( 3 ) which is arranged below the water separator ( 2 ), wherein the water separator ( 2 ) has, at a lower end, an outlet ( 4 ) which opens into the water tank ( 3 ), a lateral gas inlet ( 5 ), and a gas outlet ( 6 ) which is arranged at an upper end.   
     
     
         2 . The device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein an element ( 7 ) that promotes condensation of water vapor in the water separator ( 2 ) is arranged between the gas inlet ( 5 ) and the gas outlet ( 6 ).   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a Venturi nozzle ( 8 ) is connected upstream of the gas inlet ( 5 ), and is connected to the water tank ( 3 ), in an area of a cross-sectional constriction ( 9 ), via a riser ( 10 ).   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water separator have a shape that increases an internal surface or have fixtures ( 11 ) in the form of plates, ribs or tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the fixtures ( 11 ) are hollow at least in certain areas and are configured to be exposed to ambient air.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank ( 3 ) is configured to be heated by means of a heating device ( 12 ), which is preferably arranged on the bottom side. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a pump ( 13 ) for removing water and/or a valve for draining water is arranged in or on the water tank ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank ( 3 ) comprises at least one further connection ( 14 ,  15 ) for introducing a gas and/or water flow. 
     
     
         9 . A fuel cell system ( 20 ) comprising at least one fuel cell ( 21 ) having an exhaust air path ( 22 ) for dissipating air exiting the fuel cell ( 21 ), wherein a device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  is integrated into the exhaust air path ( 22 ). 
     
     
         10 . The fuel cell system ( 20 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the device ( 1 ) is integrated downstream of a turbine ( 23 ) in the exhaust air path ( 22 ). 
     
     
         11 . The fuel cell system ( 20 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein a water separator ( 24 ) is arranged in the exhaust air path ( 22 ) and is connected to the water tank ( 3 ) of the device ( 1 ). 
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell system ( 20 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the water tank ( 3 ) of the device ( 1 ) is connected to a drain valve ( 25 ) and/or purge valve ( 26 ) arranged on an anode side. 
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a fuel cell system ( 20 ) having at least one fuel cell ( 21 ) in which air exiting the fuel cell ( 21 ) is supplied to a device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , such that water contained in the air is separated and collected, and in which water collected in the water tank ( 3 ) is used to humidify air supplied to the fuel cell ( 21 ) via an supply air path ( 27 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the element ( 7 ) that promotes condensation of water vapor is a grid or a body made of a porous material. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the heating device ( 12 ) is arranged on a bottom side of the water tank ( 3 ). 
     
     
         16 . The fuel cell system ( 20 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the water separator ( 24 ) is upstream of a turbine ( 23 ) in the exhaust air path ( 22 ).